Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
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Facing Pages · Branch 1350 of 3781
YEAR 1799 · Entry 1350
French
p. 269914 mai.
Du respect. — Sans lui le mérite ne produit point l’illusion qui en fait le charme. Etre capable de respect est aujourd’hui presque aussi rare qu’en être digne. On a pour ceux que l’on respecte une espèce d’affection tendre dont le bonheur seroit perdu pour nous si nous n’avions pour eux qu’une estime mesurée à la grandeur de leur mérite, quelque infini qu’on le suppose. On a aussi pour ceux dont on est respecté une bonté, une excellence qui manqueroit à notre cœur si on ne trouvoit dans le monde que des hommes exactement et strictement justes à notre égard.
Il y a entre les respectueux et les respectés illusion réciproque et une réalité d’accroissement, de contentement et de mérite qui est réciproque aussi. Quand on est respecté, on en vaut mieux; quand on respecte on en vit mieux.
L’admiration est un véritable bonheur. Pour qu’elle existe il faut qu’il y ait mérite et respect. Le mérite ne suffit point pour la produire. Avec notre esprit observateur, nous observons en effet les talens, les vertus, comme on observe le soleil avec des verres noircis de fumée. Aussi nous ne voyons tout ce qui brille que dépouillé de ses rayons.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1799
p. 2700May 14.
On respect. — Without it, merit does not produce the illusion that gives it its charm. To be capable of respect is today almost as rare as to be worthy of it. We feel for those we respect a kind of tender affection whose happiness would be lost to us if we had for them only an esteem measured by the greatness of their merit, however infinite we suppose it. We also have for those who respect us a goodness, an excellence that our heart would lack if we found in the world only men exactly and strictly just toward us.
Between those who respect and those respected there is a mutual illusion, and a reality of growth, contentment, and merit that is mutual too. When we are respected, we are the better for it; when we respect, we live the better for it.
Admiration is a true happiness. For it to exist, there must be merit and respect. Merit alone does not suffice to produce it. With our observing mind, we do in fact observe talents and virtues as one observes the sun through glass blackened with smoke. And so we see everything that shines only stripped of its rays.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1799 · Entry 1350
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
Joubert’s notebooks return to the work of thinking and writing, the demands of friendship, and questions of faith, beauty and conduct. This edition pairs the French with a new English translation, preserving the order of the chosen source and the unfinished character of its fragments. Dates and source references allow readers to follow a thought through time or return to its printed context.
Historical Text and Translation
The French text follows André Beaunier’s 1938 edition of Les Carnets de Joseph Joubert, published by Gallimard from Joubert’s autograph manuscripts. Volume I presents the entries on printed pages 32–475. French and English are aligned paragraph by paragraph, retaining the source order, printed dates and page references so readers can return to the facsimile.
About Diotimos Editions
Diotimos Editions prepared this new English translation directly from the French, preserving Joubert’s distinctions, recurring images, ambiguities and unfinished thoughts. Translator’s notes clarify wording, references and uncertain readings: Essential keeps notes that help explain a passage, while All includes technical detail. Annotations from the 1938 source edition remain distinct from the new translator’s notes.
Rights
The linked facsimile records identify the French source as public domain in the United States. The new English translation and editorial notes are © 2026 Diotimos, with source annotations and new editorial contributions credited separately. This edition pairs the complete French notebooks with an independent English translation, preserving the distinction between Joubert’s text and its accompanying notes.